Eliminating tailgate chains - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BLAZERMAN · 07-13-2002, 10:08 PM

I've come to enjoy the rattle of the stepside tailgate chains, but for you guy's that dont ,I ran across this customized 69 today and liked how simple his solution was.

JEEP hood latch's

BTW/ This truck is for sale or trade here locally if anyone is interested in more pics.

BLAZERMAN · 07-13-2002, 10:09 PM

And another.

SWINGSAX68 · 07-13-2002, 11:57 PM

RF great Idea!!!! But how does the tail gate stay open w/out slamming into the bumper???? Are there cables or chai....wait a minute this is about having no chains...man i'm an idiot. Well, even still, how does that work to hold the tailgate open?

72Lester · 07-14-2002, 12:03 AM

It probably wouldn't be to hard to hide a set of tailgate cables like they have on newer trucks...just an idea

jay-dawg · 07-14-2002, 05:15 AM

Very creative. Those look like they are riveted on. As for the straps to hold the tailgate up when put down....I know the s10's use those cables thats looped on one end. maybe screw the loop on to the side mount on the bed side and screw down the other end on the tailgate. I dont know how strong the mounts will be but I guess that would do.

jay

XXL · 07-14-2002, 10:22 AM

I used nylon straps in place of the chains... they bolt just inside the tailgate opening into the sheetmetal of the stake pocket on one end, and to the lip of the tailgate on the other, so they hide in the gap when closed. See the pink dots in the photo below--- those are actually pink pan head bolts from another project.

One problem (and I see this as a problem with the method shown in the original post) is that this sheetmetal is not very thick, and it wasn't intended for shear-type loads like my straps put on it. The rule around here is NO WEIGHT on the tailgate.

Kenneth

jay-dawg · 07-14-2002, 11:23 AM

damn xxl you da man. Here's what I was thinking about the chains. I like the look of the chains and my ride is going for the hawaiian theme. Here's my plan for them.

Find some clear rubber tubing (I used to use them for my beer bong in college...those were the days

) one tube larger than the other. I would sandwich a piece of aloha shirt fabric (one matching my future interior) between the two tubing and figure out how to seal the tops so that no water can get in (probably some clear rtv or something).

jay

BLAZERMAN · 07-14-2002, 04:22 PM

A few more pics of the truck.

BLAZERMAN · 07-14-2002, 04:23 PM

.

BLAZERMAN · 07-14-2002, 04:33 PM

.

highwaydevil · 07-15-2002, 02:27 PM

I know that some people have used seatbelts bolted inside the bed instead of chains also.

07-13-2002, 10:08 PM	#1
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	Eliminating tailgate chains I've come to enjoy the rattle of the stepside tailgate chains, but for you guy's that dont ,I ran across this customized 69 today and liked how simple his solution was. JEEP hood latch's BTW/ This truck is for sale or trade here locally if anyone is interested in more pics. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C Last edited by BLAZERMAN; 07-14-2002 at 01:03 AM.

07-13-2002, 10:09 PM	#2
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	And another. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

07-13-2002, 11:57 PM	#3
SWINGSAX68 Now the others dig........ Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,520	cool RF great Idea!!!! But how does the tail gate stay open w/out slamming into the bumper???? Are there cables or chai....wait a minute this is about having no chains...man i'm an idiot. Well, even still, how does that work to hold the tailgate open? __________________ 68 Chevy C10 Stepside Black Primer 78 GMC Longbed White 09 Chevy Silverado Shortbed Granite Blue *LOOKING FOR A 67 4 DOOR IMPALA!!!Just like Sam and Dean Winchester!! 'Cause Mustangs are for p^#$ and you can fit a body in the trunk of a 67 Impala* MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Texas State University-San Marcos, TX Certified Music Educator I hope Mom is up there watching and being my Guardian Angel "I've got a fever.....and the only prescription.....IS MORE COW BELL" -The Legendary: Bruce Dickenson "F#$@ 'em up!!!!!!" -The Legendary: Rogelio Escobar TRUCKY LINKS** http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457750 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=461184 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=472848 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=417541 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=477788

07-14-2002, 12:03 AM	#4
72Lester Genuine smartass Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Enid, OK - soon to be Rapid City, SD Posts: 126	It probably wouldn't be to hard to hide a set of tailgate cables like they have on newer trucks...just an idea __________________ '99 Chevy 3/4 Burb 4x4 '98 Chevy 1/2 Short Bed 4x4 Former 67 & 72 owner Wanted: 1972 10 or 20 4X4, V8 4spd

07-14-2002, 05:15 AM	#5
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	Very creative. Those look like they are riveted on. As for the straps to hold the tailgate up when put down....I know the s10's use those cables thats looped on one end. maybe screw the loop on to the side mount on the bed side and screw down the other end on the tailgate. I dont know how strong the mounts will be but I guess that would do. jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

07-14-2002, 10:22 AM	#6
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	I used nylon straps in place of the chains... they bolt just inside the tailgate opening into the sheetmetal of the stake pocket on one end, and to the lip of the tailgate on the other, so they hide in the gap when closed. See the pink dots in the photo below--- those are actually pink pan head bolts from another project. One problem (and I see this as a problem with the method shown in the original post) is that this sheetmetal is not very thick, and it wasn't intended for shear-type loads like my straps put on it. The rule around here is NO WEIGHT on the tailgate. Kenneth __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

07-14-2002, 11:23 AM	#7
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	damn xxl you da man. Here's what I was thinking about the chains. I like the look of the chains and my ride is going for the hawaiian theme. Here's my plan for them. Find some clear rubber tubing (I used to use them for my beer bong in college...those were the days ) one tube larger than the other. I would sandwich a piece of aloha shirt fabric (one matching my future interior) between the two tubing and figure out how to seal the tops so that no water can get in (probably some clear rtv or something). jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

07-14-2002, 04:22 PM	#8
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	A few more pics of the truck. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

07-14-2002, 04:23 PM	#9
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

07-14-2002, 04:33 PM	#10
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

07-15-2002, 02:27 PM	#11
highwaydevil Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Platteville, Colorado Posts: 1,067	I know that some people have used seatbelts bolted inside the bed instead of chains also.

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